Tableau Vivante

That’s not really the news. And thankfully, my bus driver knows to shoo off his regulars when it looks like the outside world is not on their radar. But what caused this near calamity of transit?

Every once in a while, maybe two or three times a year, the Los Angeles Times Food section (published every Wednesday) will produce an issue that is so completely in tune with how I do and think food that it should be named Tableau Vivante’s Tremendous Party Pack of Yay. This week? One of those issues. I gave a muted squeal. The only thing that would have made the experience more perfect would have been to have lunch at the Times’ test kitchen while they were testing the recipes they published today. The Acacia panna cotta alone…

Where do we begin? Russ Parsons’ detailed feature on the hopes and dreams of almond growers in the Central Valley? Amy Scattergood’s whipping back of the cultural curtain on beans (she touts the Christmas lima bean as a possible carne asada replacement in tacos…sound like a challenge to this chicana!)? Jen Garbee’s praise of good honey? Corie Brown’s excursion into ratafia cordials and the making of said libations (Corie suggested a kumquat ratafia, and it was this story that was responsible for the near missage on the bus stop.)?

Go read it. Yes, yes, the LA Times website requires registration which will likely pop up annoyingly on your screen at either the first or second click through. Small price to pay though. Dooooo it. Dooooo it.